UKCA deadline extended as businesses are given two additional years to apply new product safety marking. The UK Business Secretary Grant Shapps announced an extension to the UKCA deadline until 31 December 2024. He expressed the government’s determination to remove barriers to business and allow them to focus on customer service, growth and supporting their staff.
Given the difficult economic conditions created by post-pandemic shifts in demand and supply, the war in Ukraine and the associated high energy prices, the government does not want to burden business with the requirement to meet the original 2022 deadline.
The Government will continue to recognise the CE product marking in Great Britain for a further 2 years. During this time, businesses can use either UKCA or CE markings. Moreover, it will allow business to spread and remove potential disruption. The additional 2 years will also apply to new product safety marking.
The introduction of the UK Conformity Assessed (UKCA) marking is part of the UK’s own robust regulatory framework. It shows that products comply with our product safety regulations for protecting consumers.
UKCA deadline extended
The government will continue to recognise the CE marking until 31 December 2024 to prepare for the UKCA marking. Businesses can also use the UKCA marking, giving them flexibility to choose which marking to apply.
To support manufacturers, the government is also reviewing the wider product safety framework. This will minimise the burdens on business while keeping systems up to date with new innovative methods such as e-labelling.
It will also give businesses additional time to focus on delivering growth and creating jobs whilst meeting their legal obligations.
Finally, there will be different rules for medical devices, construction products, cableways, unmanned aircraft systems, rail products, and marine equipment. Government departments responsible for these sectors are making sector specific arrangements.
They will also allow the use of conformity assessment activities for CE marking undertaken by manufacturers before 31 December 2024 as the basis for the UKCA marking until 31 December 2027.
Northern Ireland
Under the terms of the Protocol, Northern Ireland will continue to recognise the CE marking for goods placed on the market in Northern Ireland. They will need to use the UKNI marking if they use a UK Conformity Assessment Body to test their products.
